My daughter and I recently watched Drifting Home (2022) on Netflix. The storyline follows two middle school friends gradually drifting apart, who decide to revisit their abandoned childhood housing complex. They mysteriously fall asleep and wake up in their complex which is now floating at sea. As they work with old and new friends, they strive to survive and find their way home.
Directed by Hiroyasu Ishida (Penguin Highway) the movie features the voices of Ayumu Murase (Ranking of Kings), Bin Shimada (Dead or Alive 2), Kana Hanazawa (Your Name) and Inori Minase (One Room).
This film is a bit uneven, with both noteworthy aspects and some misses. The original and entertaining premise unfolds well, and the ending neatly brings the storyline full circle. However, the characters and their subplots lack the depth and compelling nature they could have had. The first half of the movie is somewhat bland, but the second half picks up with well-executed action that draws you in. While the animation is solid, it doesn't reach outstanding levels.
In conclusion, Drifting Home offers enough for anime fans to consider it a must-see, but it doesn't quite reach classic status. I would give it a 6/10 and recommend seeing it once.